Gutierrez v Guam Election Commission [2011] GUSC 3; 2011 Guam 03 (3 February 2011)

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF GUAM

CARL T.C. GUTIERREZ and FRANK B. AGUON, JR.,
Petitioners,

V

THE GUAM ELECTION COMMISSION, JOSEPH MESA,
MARTHA RUTH, JOHN TAITANO, ALICE TAIJERON,
JOHN TERLAJE, JOSHUA TENORIO and ROBERT CRUZ,
Respondents.

EDWARD B. CALVO and RAYMOND TENORIO,
Real Parties in Interest.

Supreme Court Case No.: WRM10-003

OPINION

Filed: February 3, 2011

Cite as: 2011 Guam 3

Appeal from the Superior Court of Guam
Argued and submitted December 30, 2010
Hagåtña, Guam

Appearing for Petitioners: David J. Lujan, Esq. Ignacio C. Aguigui, Esq. Doron Weinberg, Esq. Lujan Aguigui & Perez LLP Ste. 300 DNA Bldg. 238 Archbishop F.B. Flores St. Hagåtña, GU 96910	Appearing for Respondents: Cesar C. Cabot, Esq. Rawlen M.T. Mantanona Cabot Mantanona LLP 929 S Marine Corps Dr. Tamuning, GU 96913
	Appearing for Real Parties in Interest: Michael F. Phillips, Esq. Ricardo D. Bordallo, Esq. Phillips & Bordallo, P.C. 410 W O'Brien Dr. Hagåtña, GU 96910

BEFORE: ROBERT J. TORRES, Chief Justice; KATHERINE A. MARAMAN, Associate Justice; MIGUEL S. DEMAPAN, Justice Pro Tempore. [1]

TORRES, C.J.:

[1] This matter comes before the court pursuant to the Verified Petition for Writ of Mandamus and Prohibition (the "Petition") filed by Petitioners Carl T.C. Gutierrez and Frank B. Aguon, Jr. ("Gutierrez/Aguon") against Respondents The Guam Election Commission, Joseph Mesa, Martha Ruth, John Taitano, Alice Taijeron, John Terlaje, Joshua Tenorio, and Robert Cruz (collectively, "GEC") and Real Parties in Interest Edward B. Calvo and Raymond Tenorio ("Calvo/Tenorio") on December 21, 2010. In the Petition, Gutierrez/Aguon ask this court, in its original jurisdiction, to vacate the November 6, 2010 certification of the gubernatorial election results and the certificates of election issued November 30, 2010. For the reasons discussed below, the Petition is denied.[2]

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

[2]